Poll Violence: 10 incidents of clashes across AP; stone pelting by YSRCP, TDP cadres in Palnadu, Gudur, cop hurt

Amaravati: On May 13th, Andhra Pradesh witnessed one of the most fierce polling experiences. Over 10 incidents of violence marred the polling process in various parts of Andhra Pradesh during the State Assembly and Parliament elections on Monday. From pelting stones, to slapping and even setting vehicles on fire, violence rocked the state. Additional security personnel were pressed in to the existing. The Election Commission has directed the local authorities including the police to register criminal cases- a fallout of the violence.

In several parts of the state, activists of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) were involved in stone pelting and physical attacks leading to intervention from the police personnel to protect the law and order and to ensure smooth conduct of the polling.

YSRCP MLA candidate attacks voter

In Tenali of Guntur district, YSRCP MLA candidate Annabathuni Siva Kumar allegedly attacked a voter for questioning him for not standing in the queue to cast his vote. The ECI has directed the police to take the Tenali YSRCP MLA candidate into custody. It also directed the police to keep Siva Kumar under house arrest till the completion of polling.

YSRCP and TDP cadre attack each other

In Rentachintala of Palnadu district, two polling agents of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) were allegedly attacked by YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) activists. The incident happened after the completion of mock polling at a polling station. The ECI expressed its ire over the incident and directed the police to rope in special forces to restore normalcy at the place.

In Gurazala of Palnadu district, TDP and YSRCP activists pelted stones at each other near a polling station. With the situation going out of control, the police resorted to a lathi attack to disperse the mob. Similarly, Dodleru village of Palnadu district also witnessed physical altercations between a cadre of both parties who resorted to jostling each other at a polling station in the village.

Meanwhile, tension prevailed in Dondapadu village of Narasaraopet mandal in Palnadu district when YSRCP activists allegedly damaged the vehicles of TDP MP candidate Lavu Sri Krishnadevarayalu.

In Sathakodu village, Yerragondapalem constituency of Prakasam district polling was disrupted for a while following a tussle between members of TDP and YSRCP. Locals alerted the police to restore normalcy in the area.

In Chejerla mandal of Nellore district, the cadres of TDP and YSRCP resorted to fighting near a polling booth. The police intervened in the matter and cleared the mob.

In Hussainpur of Chalamathuru mandal of Hindupur constituency, YSRCP activists attacked local TDP leaders. In Tadipatri of Anantapur district, stone pelting happened between the YSRCP and TDP activists after MLA Kethireddy Pedda Reddy and municipal chairperson JC Diwakar Reddy reached a polling station at the same time. A police official was injured in the attack.

In Chilkur of Gudur district, the activists of TDP and YSRCP were involved in a fight. The TDP candidates allegedly attacked the YSRCP candidate and MLC M Murali.

Intense tension prevailed in Narasaraopeta, after the TDP activists tried to attack the house of YSR Congress MLA candidate Srinivasa Reddy Gopireddy, destroying cars. Police respond with rubber bullets and cleared the mobs.

Andhra Pradesh registered a voter turnout of approximately 68 per cent in 25 Lok Sabha and 175 Assembly constituencies till 5 pm on Monday, the Election Commission said. Highest voting percentage is recording at Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema district with 73.55%, lowest is recorded at Alluri Sitaramaraju district with 55.17%.